Grace Hightower is a multi-talented American philanthropist, entrepreneur, socialite, singer, and actress. She is the founder of Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda, a company dedicated to supporting the people of Rwanda and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their exceptional coffee. With a diverse career that includes acting and various other roles, Hightower is deeply engaged with numerous charitable and welfare organizations. She is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and actively contributes to the Women’s Heart Health Advisory Council. Additionally, Hightower is committed to improving public schools in New York through her involvement with various social welfare organizations.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Grace Hightower De Niro
- Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Robert De Niro (m. 1997)
- Children: Elliot De Niro, Helen Grace De Niro
- Occupation: Actress
- Nationality: American
- U.S. State: Mississippi
Career
Grace Hightower had to start working at a young age due to her financially weak family. She took up various jobs, including being a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines and working as a mutual fund trader. She also worked at one of Mr. Chow’s outlets to support herself.
In the mid-1990s, Hightower got her first opportunity in the show business. She appeared in one episode of the television series ‘NYPD Blue’ in 1994. She later appeared in the film ‘Brotherhood’ in 1997 and made her next appearance in the film ‘Precious’ twelve years later. However, her acting career never took off and she only made a few more onscreen appearances in the following decade.
Philanthropy
Despite her limited success in acting, Grace Hightower used her public image to make a difference in the world. She founded a charitable organization in Rwanda called ‘Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda’. This organization supports the native Rwandan people who work hard to produce high-quality coffee. The organization aims to improve the lives of these coffee producers and ensure they receive fair prices for their products.
Hightower is also involved with the ‘Fund for Public Schools, New York’, an organization that supports public schools in New York. She represents various organizations that work for women’s welfare, such as the New York Women’s Foundation and the Women’s Heart Health Advisory Council. She is also a member of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, which supports women in the coffee industry through training and other resources.
Additionally, Hightower is associated with social welfare organizations like the Hudson River Protection and health-related non-profit organizations like the American Cancer Society and Autism Speaks.
Personal Life
Grace Hightower was born on April 7, 1955, in Kilmichael, Mississippi. She met Robert De Niro while working at Mr. Chow’s and they began dating. They got married on June 17, 1997, and have two children together. Their first child, Elliot De Niro, was born on March 18, 1998, and their second child, Helen Grace De Niro, was born in 2011 through surrogacy.
The couple faced difficulties in their marriage in the late 1990s, leading to De Niro filing for divorce in 1999. However, they decided to work on their issues and were able to resolve them by 2004, leading to the withdrawal of the divorce case.